Agave Species, Parry's Agave, Parry's Century Plant, Maguey
Agave parryi
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Genus: | Agave (a-GAH-vee) (Info) |
Species: | parryi (PAIR-ree-eye) (Info) |
Synonym: | Agave applanata var. parryi |
Synonym: | Agave leopoldii |
Category:
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Bronze
Blue-Green
Height:
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Danger:
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color:
Bright Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium
This plant is monocarpic
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Chandler Heights, Arizona
Fountain Hills, Arizona
Gilbert, Arizona
Green Valley, Arizona
Jerome, Arizona
Maricopa, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Prescott, Arizona
Queen Creek, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona
August, California
Bostonia, California
Chowchilla, California
Hayward, California
Nevada City, California
Norwalk, California
San Diego, California
San Marino, California
Spring Valley, California
Thousand Oaks, California
Yorba Linda, California
Boulder, Colorado
Grand Junction, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado
East Haven, Connecticut
Miami, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Boise, Idaho
Chicago, Illinois
Joliet, Illinois
Centreville, Maryland
Henderson, Nevada
Sparks, Nevada
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Cincinnati, Ohio
Lawton, Oklahoma
Redmond, Oregon
Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Union, South Carolina
Austin, Texas(2 reports)
Bryan, Texas
Copperas Cove, Texas
Friendswood, Texas
Kerrville, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Waxahachie, Texas
Lindon, Utah
Orem, Utah
South Jordan, Utah
Springville, Utah
West Jordan, Utah
Seattle, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Aug 27, 2019, silktree10 from East Haven, CT wrote: Most clones of A. parryi will rot in southern New England, but a few manage to survive in well drained soil and a sunny exposure. Drainage is very important if they are to survive our wet winters (z7a). The clone that I have pups profusely (away from the plant), but I don't think it has a cultivar name. This species has a wide habitat range, with some plants native to pine forests around the Flagstaff area, So provenance is very important if anyone is to try them on the east coast. |
Positive | On Jun 9, 2017, longjonsilverz from Centreville, MD wrote: Agaves are very difficult in this area (Eastern Maryland, zone 7) This one however has been successful so far handling winter with no damage despite the high amount of rainy and wet conditions that are typical in this area, especially in winter/spring. This plant can really hurt if you fall on it so beware. Full sun and VERY well drained soil seem to be the key with any desert plant in the Mid Atlantic. |
Positive | On Mar 11, 2014, Succubus14 from Atlanta, GA (Zone 7b) wrote: Tough as nails, left outside on a west facing 5th floor balcony for ~ 12 hours during the January 2014 "polar vortex" (lows in the upper teens w/ some wind). Got nervous and brought it inside in the morning. ZERO damage. |
Positive | On Dec 8, 2011, Sandwichkatexan from Copperas Cove, TX wrote: Mine offset like crazy ! they filled in the two small beds they were in and they look amazing . I love my fat rapidly offsetting blue artichokes . And the best part I do nothing for them just leave them in the baking Texas sun all summer and they are happy campers . |
Positive | On Jan 20, 2011, bmcdanel from Lawton, OK wrote: I have two of these, the first agaves in my experimental garden. It has proven very hardy, surviving everything that Oklahoma can throw at it without damage for four years now. It is a medium plant that fits nicely into a modest garden. I saw some of these blooming in Sunsites, Arizona, last year and look forward to the day that mine do the same. Then, I'll start them over from pups. |
Positive | On Jul 28, 2009, baiissatva from Dunedin, Zone 9b coastal Otago New Zealand |
Positive | On Nov 30, 2006, Xenomorf from Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote: . |
Positive | On Feb 6, 2006, treeguy15 from trenton, This plant does very great in zone 5b no winter damege these agaves are very hardy. they took on a -13F or lower no protection. |
Positive | On Jun 29, 2005, cmac1964 from Waxahachie, TX wrote: I live in Ellis Co., TX. Plant was here when we moved in a year ago. Started to grow stalk mid-May of this year. Stalk is about 8 ft. high. Blooms appeared from top to bottom, but has started to die off from bottom to top. Now has 2 new plants growing on either side at the bottom . Didn't know the name of plant until I found this site. Anyone know what happens to it now? And do I need to do anything special to promote the new growth? |
Positive | On Mar 31, 2005, nevadagdn from Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) wrote: This plant takes a long time to settle in and look good. My 2" pot pup is finally looking good after 4 years. My 1-year-old one gallon plant still looks bad, but no worse than the pup did after its first winter. |
Positive | On Jul 11, 2004, domehome from Arroyo Grande, CA wrote: I've had this agave for over 10 years and it is a favorite in my garden. I have given away many of the pups and have seen them survive, even in zone 6. A very slow growing agave, parryi is a real beauty and worth the wait. Pups enough to share but not to much to control. |
Positive | On Feb 11, 2004, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: Great looking highly ornamental Agave with somewhat wide, short pale blue leaves and a dark, sharp terminal spine and small, but very sharp lateral leaf spines. Suckers, but tends to be slow to sucker, so easy to keep control of. Some varieties, like truncata, hardly sucker at all. Very tolerant of drought and just about anything you can do to it. Old plants are highly prized and make great landscaping items, as well as excellent potted plants. Likes full sun, but will tolerate shade. |